Musical/Liturgical Notes…Today is PENTECOST, also known as Whitsunday, - the day in the church year in which we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in the form of cloven tongues of fire.  Peter was the preacher on that day, and 3000 were baptized.  The name Whitsunday (“White Sunday”) comes from the custom of robing those to be confirmed in white vestments.  Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning “fiftieth,” – i.e., the 50^th day after Easter.  It corresponds to a Jewish festival, “The Feast of Weeks,” which occurs 7 weeks after Passover.  Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire (Hymn 651/Tune: Veni creator) is an ancient chant that is perhaps the one piece of music historically most associated with the day of Pentecost and dates from at least as early as 980 A.D.  Maurice Duruflé was organist at St. Etienne-du-Mont and professor of the Paris conservatory of music.  Only a few of his works survive today because, like Brahms, he threw away many a composition which did not meet his standards!  Charles Callahan is organist/choirmaster at The Church of the Holy Family (The Church of the United Nations) in NYC and formerly held a position at The Church of the Epiphany in Washington DC.  Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist (Come, God, Creator, Holy Ghost) is the German paraphrase of Veni creator.  This short setting/arrangement by J.S. Bach represents the “Holy Spirit” ( the 3^rd part of the Holy Trinity) by placing the pedal/bass notes on the third part of every beat – resulting in an unusual rhythmic feel so obvious that one cannot miss the symbolism!    

Kids For Christ –The last day for Wednesday night KFC is May 21.  We are in need of summer Sunday School teachers for First Grade in June, July and August; Second Grade for July; and Fourth and Fifth Grade (combined) in June, July and August.  If you can help even for just one month, let Nako know! Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 28 to August 1, 2008.  If you are able to help with VBS, please let Nako know.

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY,  May 18, 2008...What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God?”  (Micah 6:8b, NRSV)  In The United Methodist Church, we have six annual opportunities to share beyond our regular gifts through churchwide Special Sundays with offerings.  Peace with Justice Sunday is one of the official churchwide Special Sundays, when the Peace with Justice Special Offering is collected.  Annual Conferences keep half of the offering to fund local projects while a portion goes to the General Board of Church and Society Peace with Justice Program to fund U.S. and global work in social action and public policy education and advocacy.  The General Conference assigned the General Board of Church and Society to implement the program and called the church to "strengthen its capacity to act as a public policy advocate" in communities and nations throughout the world.  The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people's lives and communities.

Our next Adult Ministry Trip is May 27 to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks  The beaches of these state parks are rated as two of the most beautiful  in Florida.  Following the park visit we will visit Dunedin, a city of Scottish heritage, and accessible only by boat.  Cost of the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi is $9.00 round trip.  Anyone who does not want to go to Caladesi can remain at the visitors center at Honeymoon State  Park. The $9.00 ferry fee will be paid individually.  Cost of the trip will be $10.00 per person and that includes transportation and entrance to the parks.  Lunch is on your own. We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. Call the church office (622-3244) for reservations.

If you would like to welcome our new pastors, Sue Haupert-Johnson and Allen Johnson by mail, please send your correspondence to First United Methodist Church, 4118 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904.

Name Tags will be sold in the Church Courtyard following each service on May 18 and May 25.  The cost of the magnet type is $8.50 and the clip on type is $7.50.  We encourage everyone to wear their name tags so the new members and staff will learn the names of other members in the congregation.

Kids For Christ –Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 28 to August 1, 2008.  If you are able to help with VBS, please let Nako know.

Foreign Exchange Students need short-term host families in July, 2008… EF Educational Homestay Programs is looking to place high school age students from France, Germany and Finland with volunteer host families for one month this summer from July 8 to August 5, 2008.  These students are coming to our area to improve their English language skills and to experience American family life.  Host families are asked to provide a bed for the students, an extra plate at the table, transportation to and from strategically placed bus stops, and a warm welcoming environment.  For every three families that hosts from our church, EF will make a $50.00 donation to the church.  So, check your calendar, this is an incredible mission opportunity for a mutually valuable learning experience for all your family members.  If you are interested in more information please contact:  Karen Smith 454-9960 or the Regional Office  1-866-480-4089.

In an effort to keep the Sunday Bulletin and the Messenger current the following guidelines are suggested.  No announcements should run more than three times.  If the announcement is to run more than once the article should be written in parts.  The first printing should state what, when, who and where, the second printing should contain what, when, who, where and a short description of your announcement and the third printing should contain the entire announcement.  The person submitting the announcement should write all the articles.  To submit your announcements, please do one of the following:  1) e-mail Sue at sue@fumcocala.org, 2) mail your announcement to the Church Office (40 SE 11^th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471 or 3) drop off your announcement to the Church Office.    

This is “Membership Time” for First Church’s United Methodist Women.  In fact, anytime is membership time, but now is the time that you should join.  If you are a young woman with small children or an older woman with custody of children without a full-time babysitter, we have a Circle for you and the Nursery is open to take care of your charges.  If you are a newcomer, don’t know many friends and want to meet the women in our church, our Circles are all friendly and anxious to meet you.  If you’re a knitter, we have a place for you as well.  Members make the prayer shawls that are given away to people who need to know we care.  If you have just lost a loved one and need the loving and caring empathy that the ladies of this organization can provide, we have a place for you.  If you work and are very busy but would like to expand your connection with God, we have a place for you.  There are circles that meet at night, for those that work during the day.  If you are handicapped and cannot always attend meetings because of their location, we have a place for you that is filled with love and is always convenient.  If you have really been planning to join, especially since you read about all our good works, WE NEED AND WANT YOU NOW!  Call me, Marjorie Renfroe, 694-1010 and let’s talk!!!

Interfaith is in need of the following items…Shampoo, Canned Meat, Canned Fruit, Pastas, Pasta Sauces, Peanut Butter and Jelly - please bring your donations for Interfaith to the Church Office. 

Pipedreams is a syndicated radio program of organ music aired on Sundays, 2:00-3:30 p.m. on FM 89.1.  Tune in and check it out!

Several of our bulletin boards need a new look for Spring.  If you would like to give them this “face-lift” please call the Church Office.

Caring Sponsors needed…The FUMC Preschool wants to thank all of you who have lovingly given to the Ennis Wynne Scholarship Fund.  So far this year, you have enabled three children to continue enrollment in the Preschool.  This is a difficult economic time for many of our church and preschool families.  Because of job elimination or cuts in working hours, some of our preschool families are experiencing real need.  One of the best ways to help these families is to continue caring for their children in our preschool while the parents are looking for jobs.  In order to do that, we need people in our church who will help to sponsor a child.  If many caring people will donate a small amount to the Ennis Wynne Preschool Scholarship Fund, the Preschool can continue to provide a safe and loving, Christian place for the children to be.  The Lord heaps blessings on those who provide for the smallest and most innocent of His people – those dependent on others for their well-being.  May God continue to bless our caring church family. 

For those having difficulty hearing during our 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services in the Sanctuary, there are hearing aids available.  Please ask an usher for assistance, they will be happy to help you.

Stephen S. McCready Scholarship Fund...First priority for this loan shall be given to applicants who will be preparing to enter a professional church or church related career.  This includes, but is not limited to ministers, Christian education professionals, music ministers, and individuals going into church sponsored mission fields.  Also, first priority shall go to members of First Church.  Applications for the Fall, 2008 school term are due in the Church Office by June 1.  You will be notified when to come for your interview with the scholarship committee.  A new application must be submitted for each year you need assistance.  This scholarship is offered as an interest free loan to be paid back upon graduation over time.

Adult Volunteers are needed…Art and Wayne are looking for adults to volunteer with leading projects in music, art, drama, and dance with our church youth on Wednesday evenings with the Middle School and on Sunday evenings with the Senior High.  Those projects will then be incorporated into Sunday morning worship services and off-campus trips.  Contact us in the Church Office (622-3244) if you can help (Art-ext. 232, Kevin-ext. 228 and Wayne-ext. 350).

Look around today for the CHU Student ministry information kiosks - In front of the Sanctuary and in the Family Life Center there are information kiosks for student ministries.  They are easy ways to find forms, brochures, calendars, and other information for student ministries.  We have a lot going on so grab some info and join us.

Women of Faith Infinite Grace Conference is coming to Tampa, FL on August 15^th & 16^th, 2008. 
This conference is almost SOLD OUT, but there are 25 seats reserved for sale on a 1^st come, 1^st serve
basis.  The Conference price is $45.00 and the week-end package w/pre-conference is $99. 
For more information, contact Cindy Gude ASAP @ 622-1635 or by e-mail CMGBaskets@cox.net. 
Don’t miss out on this awesome God-filled event!  

From the Membership Care Committee… We are hoping to be in contact with our homebound members who are able to communicate by email.  There is a team from our committee anxious to be sure you are all right and to share an encouraging word or prayer.  If you are interested, call or email Barbara Skufe at 687-2603  or bskufe@hotmail.com.

Snacks are needed! Kids for Christ is in need of snacks for our children on Sunday mornings. We need snack items such as goldfish, teddy grahams, animal crackers, cheez-its, and powder mix for drinks (lemonade, kool-aid). If you would like to donate any items, please drop your donations off at the church office M-F, or in Room 205 on Sunday mornings. Thanks so much!!